The following series is based on a book written by Jeremy and Sushma Ballard, “Is Your Home a Jesus Home?” The book is available for purchase on Amazon (Paperback & eBook), Barnes & Noble (Paperback & eBook), and Apple Books (eBook). Every purchase helps to support Jesus Home Ministries and the work Jeremy and Sushma are doing.
Last time, we explored the results of parents’ sin on their families. Today, we’ll focus on the roles each family member plays in fostering a harmonious and godly home.
A family, as we often hear, is a unit of love—Father And Mother, I Love You. But beyond that phrase, a family is a group of people, usually related by blood, marriage, or adoption, who are called to live out biblical principles in their interactions with each other. According to Scripture, the father is the spiritual leader, setting the direction for the family, while the mother supports him. The children are to be nurtured and guided by their parents until they are ready to start their own families.
Peter provides a roadmap in 1 Peter 3:8-12 for how a family should function:
- Be Harmonious: A family should live in unity, much like a choir sings in harmony. This requires teamwork, understanding, and a commitment to living in agreement, free from constant conflict.
- Be Sympathetic: Family members should support each other through hardships, showing empathy and being quick to apologize and make amends when they hurt one another.
- Be Brotherly: Love should flow naturally among family members, reflecting the deep, brotherly love (φιλάδελφος [philadelphos]) that Peter speaks of. It’s a love that seeks the best for one another, just as siblings should.
- Be Kindhearted: Kindness and compassion should characterize every interaction within the family. This means treating each other with the same care and consideration that we would want for ourselves.
- Be Humble in Spirit: Humility in the family involves putting others’ needs before our own, serving each other without expecting anything in return. It’s the foundation of a selfless and loving household.
- Do Not Return Evil for Evil: When wronged, do not seek revenge. Instead, leave judgment to God, who will handle it justly.
- Give a Blessing: When faced with evil or insult, respond with kindness. This not only honors God but also confounds those who expect retaliation.
- Keep Your Tongue from Evil: Controlling what we say is crucial. Words have the power to build up or tear down, so we must be careful to speak only what is good and true.
- Keep Your Lips from Speaking Deceit: Honesty is vital. Deceit undermines trust and disrupts the peace in a family.
- Turn Away from Evil and Do Good: Reject sin and embrace righteousness. The consequences of sin can be devastating, so we must be diligent in choosing good.
- Seek Peace and Pursue It: Strive to make peace with others, resolving conflicts and fostering an environment of understanding and love.
These commands echo the wisdom of Psalm 34:13-14, reminding us that a life of righteousness and peace is what God desires for us. When we live according to these principles, God hears our prayers and blesses our efforts.
Join us next time as we explore the importance of love and forgiveness in the family.
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